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Identity Theft

Commerce National Bank’s staff will never initiate a request for sensitive information from you (i.e., social security number, personal login ID, password, PIN or account number). Neither will the Bank ask you to verify account information through an unsolicited email message.

We stress that you never share your personal login ID, password, PIN or account number with anyone, under any circumstances.

If you receive an email that requests this type of action or personal information, you should be suspicious of it and contact your Commerce National Banker immediately. We also suggest you report suspicious emails or telephone calls to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.

How to Protect Yourself and Minimize Your Risk

Check fraud, identity theft and other financial fraud schemes are in the news every day. Every year thousands of people are victimized through the passing of forged checks accompanied by lost, stolen or fictitious identification. To help combat these crimes, we may ask for extra identification or perform additional verification steps when processing your transactions as a protective measure. We have also put together a few tips you can use to minimize your risk by managing your personal and account information wisely. We strive to improve customer service by using the best tools, systems and practices available to assist with identifying and preventing fraud.

Ways to Protect Your Personal and Account Information

  • Protect your personal and account information at all times. Treat this information like you would a valuable asset.
  • Never give your checking account, credit card or Social Security number to unknown callers or during telephone sales solicitations.
  • Never give out your automated teller machine (ATM), debit card or credit card personal identification number (PIN). An associate of Commerce National Bank will not ask for your PIN during a transaction.
  • Never write your PIN on your ATM, debit card or credit card.
  • Review your Commerce National Bank statements promptly and report any discrepancies or suspicious transactions immediately.
  • Report lost or stolen checks, ATM cards, debit or credit cards as soon as you discover they are missing.
  • Store your extra checks and deposit slips in a secure locked location and properly destroy cancelled checks. Never leave your checkbook in your vehicle.
  • Protect your ATM, debit card and credit card receipts. Some receipts may bear your account number.
  • Protect your checkbook and bank documents (including statements and cancelled checks) so they are not accessible to guests, contractors, repairmen, etc.
  • When you close a bank account, be certain to destroy or shred your excess supply of checks and deposit slips.
  • If your home is burglarized, check your supply of checks to determine if any have been stolen. Look closely, since thieves will sometimes take only one or two checks from the middle or back of the book, making it more difficult to determine that they are missing.
  • Purchase your checks and deposit slips from our approved check vendors to ensure quality of your check stock and the integrity of your account documents.
  • Do not share your login access code for Internet Banking services with any third-party providers.
  • Always remember to clear your temporary Internet files or set your browser to "Empty Temporary Internet Files When the Browser is Closed".

Ways to Protect Your Business and Account Information

  • Segregate financial responsibilities—do not allow the same person who issues checks on the account balance the Commerce National Bank statement.
  • Regularly review your account activity and cancelled checks, especially if someone else reconciles your statement.
  • Secure all reserve supplies of checks, deposit slips and other banking documents in a locked compartment. Limit access to only a few authorized employees and change the locks when an employee leaves your company.
  • Conduct random audits and enforce vacation policies (especially for employees who have access to the financial records and documents).
  • If finances permit, use an electronic payment system for check disbursement rather than manually issuing checks.
  • Familiarize yourself with Commerce National Bank's account disclosure information brochure and with your liability for fraud under the Uniform Commercial Code.
  • Use a shredder to destroy all cancelled checks and financial data that is no longer needed.
  • Have your employees bonded, when appropriate.
  • Stay in touch with other businesses to share information regarding suspected fraud activity.
  • Purchase your checks and deposit slips from our approved check vendors to ensure the quality of your check stock and the integrity of your account documents.
  • Take advantage of our services, like Check Reconciliation Service, that are designed to assist you in protecting and managing your accounts.
  • Do not share your login access code for Internet Banking with any third-party providers.
  • Always remember to clear your temporary Internet files or set your browser to "Empty Temporary Internet Files When the Browser is Closed".

What You Should Do If You Are a Victim

In the event you are a victim of fraud or burglary, there are a number of immediate steps you can take to help protect your personal and financial interests. These suggestions are general guidelines to assist you and not all-inclusive and should not be considered nor interpreted as legal, accounting or financial advice. The suggestions include:

  • Immediately contact Commerce National Bank and your credit card issuers so that the following can be done: Access to your accounts can be protected; stop payments placed on missing checks; PIN’s and Internet Banking passwords changed and a new account opened where appropriate. Be sure to indicate to the Bank or issuer all the cards and/or accounts potentially impacted, including your ATM card, debit card and credit card. Also, ask the Bank associate assisting you to review all recent transactions on your accounts linked to those cards, including checking, savings, money market, credit, home equity, etc. Additionally, ensure that no one has requested an address change, title change, PIN change or ordered new cards or checks to be sent to another address. You can generally find customer service or fraud prevention contact telephone numbers and your account numbers on your monthly statements. Having this information handy will often facilitate your call.
  • File a police report with your local police department and provide the facts and circumstances surrounding your loss. Obtain a police report number with the date, time, police department, location and police officer taking the report or involved in the subsequent investigation. Having a police report on file will often facilitate your dealings with insurance companies, banks, credit card agencies and commercial establishments that may be the recipient of your stolen checks or fraudulent credit card purchases. The police report may initiate a law enforcement investigation into the loss with the goal of identifying, arresting and prosecuting the offender and possibly recovering your lost items. The police report will also help provide immediate clarification should someone assume your identity and be arrested for criminal activity using your name and biographical data.
  • Maintain a written chronology of what happened, what was lost and the steps you took to report the incident to the various agencies, banks and firms impacted. Be sure to record the date, time, contact telephone number, person you talked to and any relevant report or reference number and instructions.
  • Do a thorough review and inventory of bank activity and/or items that may have been stolen from you. If you later discover additional fraud items or missing articles, be sure to contact the respective police agency, bank, credit card issuer or commercial establishment and update your initial report.

In addition to reporting your situation to Commerce National Bank, debit card and credit card issuers and the local police department, remember to contact the following areas should these items be among your missing belongings.

  • Department of Motor Vehicles for the replacement of your driver's license and vehicle registration.
  • Social Security Administration for the replacement of your Social Security card.
  • Voter's registration office for the replacement of your voter's registration card.
  • Local library to replace your library card.
  • Various merchants who may have issued you a courtesy check-cashing card.
  • Various insurance companies for replacement of your Medicare card, prescription card, proof of homeowner's, auto, medical insurance, etc.
  • Your employee identification card, security door access cards, special remote computer access passwords or tokens issued by your employer.

What You Should Do If Your Identity Is Stolen

If your name, account number or any form of personal identification has been used in a fraudulent scheme or transaction, you may wish to contact the appropriate agencies listed below:

Commerce National Bank
(949) 474-1020 – Newport Beach Office

Report any fraudulent activity on your deposit account, such as lost or stolen checks, and other unauthorized transactions found in your statement.

Credit Bureaus

Request a copy of your credit bureau report and look for unknown inquiries or approved credit. Request a statement be placed on your record that no further credit be approved unless you are contacted directly before approval is granted.

Equifax
P O Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30349-5069
www.equifax.com
To order a report: (800) 685-1111
To report fraud: (800) 525-6285

Experian
P O Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013-0949
www.experian.com
To order a report: (888) 397-3742
To report fraud: (888) 397-3742

Trans Union
P O Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
www.transunion.com
To order a report: (800) 916-8800
To report fraud: (800) 680-7289

Merchant Check Guarantee Programs

Report any bank account set up fraudulently under your name to:

Telecheck
(800) 366-2425

National Processing Company
(800) 526-5380

SCAN (Deluxe)
(800) 262-7771

CheckRite
(800) 766-2748

CrossCheck
(800) 552-1900

Market Block List
(888) 567-8688

These agencies will place information in their system about checks that are reported as stolen or lost. They will also make note of accounts that were opened for the purpose of true name fraud. This information is then made available to merchants who subscribe to their service.

Fraudulent Charges on Your Credit Account

Report fraudulent charges on your credit cards or contact the credit card issuers of cards in your name. Review your account activity to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions. If you subscribe to a credit card protection service, contact them to report any fraudulent or unauthorized transactions.

Social Security Services

Report victimization and improper use of your Social Security number to:

  • Social Security Hotline at (800) 269-0271
    The Social Security Hotline allows a victim of identity theft to report misuse of a Social Security number. You may also visit your local Social Security Office to obtain further information.

U.S. Post Office and Local Police Departments

  • U.S. Postal Inspectors Office
    Victims of fraud should contact their local post office to report any crime involving stolen mail or use of the mail in furtherance of a fraud scheme.
  • Local Police Departments
    It is recommended that victims of identity theft file a police report with their local police department. Victims should keep a copy of the report for their records.

Department of Motor Vehicles

If your driver's license is stolen, report the theft immediately to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Ensure that a duplicate license was not recently issued in your name to an imposter.

Other Support Agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    The FTC Consumer Response Center (877-FTC-HELP) maintains a program to assist victims of identity theft. The Center logs complaints and provides assistance and information to victimized consumers to rectify damage to their credit and personal reputation.

Protect Yourself

You should always remain vigilant to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft attempts. Cases of stolen identity and fraud happen to real people, and with increasing frequently. These are some of the best and easiest ways to protect yourself against becoming a victim, but you must take the appropriate steps.